Most suspect that the Spaniard is sitting out the Jerez test this week so that the new F138 car can be 'shaken down' by Felipe Massa and Pedro de la Rosa ahead of Alonso's debut on the much more representative Barcelona track.

But one or two whispers in the Jerez paddock this week suggested Alonso may have injured a rib whilst karting last month.

However, as the double world champion is currently running and cycling in Dubai and happily posting photos to Twitter to prove it, a Ferrari spokesperson said on Friday: "It's obvious how hard Fernando is training at the moment.